By Tom J Doyle

0

Feb 3, 2013 17:23:00

The 23-year-old has been in prolific form for Arsenal this season with 18 goals in 29 games, and wants the chance to prove he can lead the line for Roy Hodgson's national side

Theo Walcott says that it is his "dream" to play up front for England and wants the chance to prove himself as the focal point of Roy Hodgson's side after showing prolific form for Arsenal this season.

And the former Southampton forward revealed his delight in being able to bring other players into the game along the front line, though he admits that he still has to learn how to hold the ball up effectively in order to be a top striker.

"It would be a dream to play up front for England but, ­obviously, the manager makes the ­decisions," he told talkSPORT.

"It's an option for the ­manager, who has probably seen me play a few times for Arsenal up front now. It's something different that we might not have had before, making runs in ­behind.

"I just love playing up front, you can wander around anywhere," he added. "Not just that, you can create more space for other players when you are quiet and go through patches in the game. ­Defenders are always wary of my pace and going in behind."

Walcott already has seven more goals than he scored last season, having played 17 games fewer, underlining his more direct approach during the 2012-13 campaign.

And, while he also has an impressive assists tally of 11 this year - already one better than last season - the attacker feels that the next step in his development is to learn to shield the ball and keep possession up front.

"Now I've just got to learn the other side of it as well, when it is not going too well," he observed. "I am not going to be the best guy to hold it up at times but that is something I am ­practising in training. I always practice scoring goals and the next thing is to practice holding the ball up."

Walcott is included in the England squad to face Brazil on Wednesday, joining Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe, Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge in Hodgson's stable of strikers.